CVE-2003-1271 in AN-HTTPd
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability (XSS) in AN HTTP 1.41e allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML as other users via a URL containing the script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1271 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed within an HTTP 1.41e implementation, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that fail to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be executed as legitimate script code.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of URL parameters or input fields within the HTTP 1.41e framework. When a user navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing script code within its parameters, the vulnerable application fails to adequately validate or escape this input before rendering it in the web page context. This allows the script to execute in the victim's browser with the privileges and session context of the authenticated user, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The flaw operates at the application layer where user input is processed and displayed without proper sanitization measures, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through simple URL manipulation without requiring complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1271 extends beyond simple script execution to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on the affected HTTP 1.41e implementation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or perform actions that appear to originate from legitimate users. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as long as the underlying application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact attack method that aligns with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web-based attack surfaces where user interaction with malicious content can be achieved through simple URL manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application codebase. Organizations should implement comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied input before it is processed or displayed in web pages, utilizing established libraries and frameworks that provide automatic escaping of special characters. The solution involves implementing strict validation of URL parameters and form inputs to ensure that potentially dangerous characters and script tags are properly encoded or rejected. Additionally, organizations should deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, providing an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The remediation process should also include regular security testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application stack, following the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework to prevent such flaws from reoccurring in future implementations.